Electric switch



Dec. 19, 1944. M, BABENCO ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Feb. 5,l 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Suma/Wm y gaenco,

murio Dec. 19, 1944. M BABENCQ 2,365,444

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Feb. 5, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 19, 1944. M. BABENco ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Feb. 5, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Lhwm.

Dec. 19, 1944. M. BABENco ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Feb. 5, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 gmc/WM Patented Dec. 419, 1944 UNITED lSTATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC SWITCH] Mauricio Babcnco, Buenos Aires, Argentina Application February 5, 1943. Serial No. 474,869'

2 Claims. (Cl. 20o-152) This invention relates to a novel and improved type of electric switch and substantially has for object an improved switch device which owing to its convenient features of construction and operation, low cost and suitable conditions of security and durability, offers considerable advantages over` the devices of similar kind heretofore proposed or used.

In connection with mercury switches, known as of the bulb type, considerable diiiiculties are encountered for securing an arrangement of durable connection, owing to the displacements of the mercury which establish the engagement and disderstood and readily carried into practice, several embodiments of the same, with some of the engagement of the respective terminals, being caused by the oscillatory movement of the lever of the same, and, in consequence, the connecting leads of said oscillatory member are continually submitted to bending stresses which will sooner or later, but inavoidably, determine the rupture of the same.

In order to overcome said difficulties, I have devised the novel type of switch which forms th'e object of this invention, the main features of which consist in that the pivots of the oscillatory element are formed by the external contact or connecting terminals, whereby the connecting leads of the distribution net are maintained in a fixed position, owing to which their duration will be practically indefinite.

The novel type of switch in accordance with this invention offers, besides, the advantage of being entirely silent in. its operation, owing to the cutting oil' or in of the electric circuit being performed, as above stated, through the contacting action of a, movable body of mercury, thereby avoiding the necessity of using springs or other contact elements which not only cause objectionable noises during the operation of the switch but also render its construction unsafe and complex, while the arrangement in accordance with the invention simplifies the same to a considerable extent and secures an indefinite duration of the device.

The novel type of switch according to this invention may also be provided with a fuse of small dimensions, adapted to be readily replaced in case of any damage in the equipment, so as tov secure, by such arrangement, a constant protection of the fuses and plugs of the external connections.

The invention also views other objects which will more clearly be referred to in the course of the following description.

In order that the invention may be fully unpossible uses, have been shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:v

Figure 1 shows a vertical section of the novel type of switch in accordance with this invention, the section having been performed on the line A-A of Figure 2, and the several parts being shown in their operative position.

Figure 2 is a front elevation, partially sectional on the line B-B of Figure l, with the parts in their operative position.

Figure 3 illustrates a detail of the contact lever, in itsdisengaged or out of contact position.

Figures 4 and 5 show, in front elevation and section, respectively, the connecting arrangement for the contact lever.

Figure 6 shows a vertical section of another embodiment of the novel type of switch, taken on the line C--C of Figure 8, with the parts in their operative position.

Figure 7 illustrates another vertical section of the same switch, in its disengaged position.

Figure 8 is a front view, partially sectional, on the line C-C of Figure 6, of an arrangement of the same device, adapted for use as a twopole switch.

Figure 9 shows a vertical section of still another construction of the novel type of switch, taken on the line E-E of Figure 10, in its position of connection or engagement.

Figure 10 is a front elevation, partially sectional, of a form of construction of the device adapted for use as a three-pole switch.

Figure 11 is a front elevation of a modified construction of the improved switch, adapted, in this case, for an alternate or simultaneous feeding of current to two or more independent distribution leads.

Figure 12 illustrates a vertical section of the same switch, taken on the line F-F of Figure 11, and finally,

Figures 13, 14 and 15 illustrate another modified construction of the novel type of switch, arranged for use in the feed circuit of electric sad-irons and similar apparatus. y

In all the said views, the same numbers of reference are used to indicate like or corresponding parts.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5, the novel switch according to this invention substantially consists of a casing I, of Bakelite or other suitable insulating material and preferably of rectangular shape, with an open front, within which is rotatably mounted a contact lever 2, for the connection and disconnection of the corresponding electric`circuit.

With reference to said figures it will be seen that said lever 2 is formed on its inner side with a duct 3, from which depart two branches 4, deviating in a lateral direction toward the opposite sides of said lever, as shown in detail in Figure 4; said branches communicate with the central duct 3 by ,means of two small orifices 5.

I'he central duct 3 is closed at its entrance end by means of a threaded plug I, from which extends a :linger 1, of flattened conical shape, the opposite sides of which are situated in front oi the orifices 5, in communication with each other by means of the duct 3 and its lateral branches 4.

Each of said branches 4 is adapted to be tightly sealed by means of a metallic plug I, secured in position by screwing or otherwise, which operate at the same time as rotatably contacts of the lever 2.

Finally, as shown in Fig. 3, a suitable amount oi.' mercury 9 is placed in the interior ci the duct l, so that when the switch is in its raised or operative position, indicated in Figure 1, the mercury will entirely cover the iinger 'I oi' the lower plug.

The type of lever just described is arranged in the interior of a casing I. in the manner shown in Figure 4; for that purpose, the outer face of each of the metallic plugs on either side is formed with a metallic head or disc Il, in en sagement with the former by means of a suitable extension II, iltted by telescoping, screwing or other convenient manner, while at the inner walls of the casing I a recess I2 is formed, of the required width and depth for serving as a rotatable seat for said disc Il, so as to provide a connecting element between the casing I and the lever 2.

On the other hand, the metallic plugs l, on either side. are respectively connected to me- -tallic contact members Il and I4, one of which, such as the contact I3, extends to the rear wall of the casing I, where it is connected by means of a screw I5 or the like, to one of the leads I6 of the distribution net The opposite contact member I4 may be connected, in turn, by means of a lead I'I with the appliance Il to be fed with current.

In order to hold the contact lever 2 at either of its extreme positions and allow of its speedy engagement and disengagement, there is provided on one or both sides and in front of the same, an angular abutment or shoulder Il, constantly acted upon by the pressure oi a spring formed by a resilient blade or wire I3, conveniently ailixed by its ends to the iront of the casing I and formed by one or more windings 20, in order to facilitate its eventual defamation. Said springs I9, besides holding the lever in its extreme position of rise or descent, assure a perfect immobilization ofthe same when engaged with the notches I2 of the casing I and thus prevent them from becoming accidentally dismounted.

The improved type oi' switch, as above described, may be provided, if desired, with a small fuse, conveniently placed in the interior ci a chamber 2i, formed in the casing I and substantially consisting of a tube 22 of Bakelite or similar insulating material, on the outer periphery of which is wound a thin wire 23 of fusible material, of which the ends are secured to two small metallic caps 24, 25, placed at 4the @DGS of said tube 22.

To the iront of the casing I is suitably pivoted, bymeans ofasmall screw II or the like,aro tatable plate 32, adapted for sluiting to either of the two positions shown in detail in Figure 2, and thus establish contact with the metallic cap 24 of the corresponding fuse. or release the same entirely, to allow of the same being dismounted. In this case, the aforesaid plate I2 will be in permanent engagement with the contact I4, above described, by means of a metallic blade 33 or the like.

In accordance with the arrangement above described, it will be seen that when the lever 2 is in its raised position, shown in Figure l, the mercury 9 will have lled the bottom oi the duct 3 and also the lateral branches 4, whereby the metallic contact members I I and I4 will be heldin electric connection one with the other; under these conditions, the current which enters by the lead Ii, continues to ilow through the screw II, plate Il and plug I2, and after passing through the whole body of mercury, it will continue its flow through the opposite plut I2 and contact I4, and nally pass through the blade 33, in engagement with the metallic cap 24 of the corresponding fuse, thence through the wire 23 and from this latter, by the contact 2l, screw 29 and lead 21, to the corresponding fuse; the current issuing from the contact member I4 will be directly deviated to the appliance Il by means oi the auxiliary lead I1.

When it is desired to break the circuit, the lever 2 is lowered to the position indicated in detail in Figure 3, such descent taking place instantaneously, owing to the resilient pressure exerted by the metallic springs I! against the angular abutments I l which prevent said lever, at the same time, from being retained at an intermediate position. Under these conditions.

the mercury 9 will ilow toward the end of the duct I and thus cut oil, in an absolute and silent manner, the ilow of the electric current to said circuit; the conical linger 1 will cause the separation of the mercury into two entirely independent parts, at the instant of breaking the ilow oi' the current, thereby preventing any sparking or formation of voltaic arc, and assuring. in consequence, a maximum duration of the device,

When it is desired to perform a repair or the replacement oi' a fuse, it will be suilicient to turn the plate 32 to the position shown in full lines in Figure 2, after which the spring Il by its release, will cause the fuse to protrude outwards and thus facilitate its removal.

Owing to the particular arrangement of said fuse, in case of short circuit, only part of the line will be ailected and not the entire equipment of the building, plant or premise, with the corresponding damage to the respective fuses.

The novel type of switch above described may conveniently be arranged in a recess lformed in the wall and a cover or lid of insulating-material may be applied for covering the frontA of the casing I, so as to allow of readily operating the contact lever 2.

In the modiiled construction shown in Figures 6 to 8, the arrangement of the novel type of switch allows of using the same as a two-pole switch.

For that purpose, the lever element 2 is constructed, in this case, of a substantially spheric shape and is provided in its interior with two adjacent compartments 3 and 3', entirely independent one of the other; the rotation axle of said lever consists oi' two small metallic rods 34,

34', extending axially from the outer sides of the same and in independent communication, respectively, with each of the internal compartments 3, 3'; said rods being caused to pivot on the ends of two metallic plates 35, 35', formed integral with the casing I and provided with means for connecting the same to the leads 36, 39', of opposite polarity, of the distribution net.

The plugs 8, 6 for charging the'mercury 9, contained in said compartments 3, 3', are made of metallic material and causedto constantly slide, with one of their free ends, against the two resilient and independent blades or leaves 31, 3l' of conductive material, While their opposite ends are suitably aillxed to the casing I and provided with means lor connecting the same to the leads 38, 39 of opposite polarity, of the current main.

The body of mercury 9, placed in the compartments 3, 3', must be provided in a suflicient amount for enabling the same to come into contact with the plugs 6, 6 and with the metallic studs 34, 34', every time when the lever 2 occupies its raised or operative position, as indicated in Figures 6 and 8, whereby the circuit between the leaves 35-31 and 35-3'I will be closed and the leads 36, 36' of the feed main co'nnected to the respective leads 38, 39' of the appliance or consumers set.

For breaking the circuit between the pairs of leads 36--38 and 36'38, it will suflice to lower the lever to the position indicated in Figure 7, which will cause the mercury 9 to ow to the lowest part of the ducts 3, 3 and thus disconnect the metallic studs 34 and 34'.

In the modified embodiment shown in Figures 9 and 10, the improved type of switch is used as a three-pole switch, for a three-phase distribution net. To this end, in the interior of the casing I, three rotatable members 2, 2', 2 are arranged, provided inside with ducts 3, 3', 3", for holding the mercury 9 and closed at their front end by means of a common lid or cover 39, from which extends a lever 40, for the control in conjoint of the said members. The axle of rotation of said conjoint is formed by the pairs oi' metallic studs 34, 34a, adapted to contact with the mercury contained within each of said ducts and which axially join those of the adjacent members by means of small discs 4 I, of insulating material, so that each of said members will be perfectly insulated from the members adjacent thereto, 'but joined to the same so as to constitute a single body.

On the other hand, every pair of studs 34 and 34a, corresponding with each of the members 2, 2 and 2", is rotatably mounted on, or connected to pairs of contacts 42 and 42a, provided, in turn, with means for connecting the same to the three leads 36, 36 and 36" of the distribution net and the corresponding leads 38, 38 and 38" of the consumers equipment.

The same as in the former cases, according toA whether the hand lever 40 occupies its highest or its lowest position, the mercury 9 will break or close the circuit between the pairs of studs 34 and 34a, corresponding to each of the members 2, and simultaneously open or close the circuit between the pairs of leads 36-38, 36-38' and 36"-38", respectively.

This type of switch may be covered, at its front, by a plate or cover 43, provided with a slot or vertical slide way, for allowing of the free ro- I9, adapted to constantly apply pressure to the discs I8, of convenient shape, so as to hold the handle in either of its extreme positions of. rise or descent.

The alternate form of construction represented in Figures 11 and 12, enables the novel type of switch to be used as a means for alternately connecting or disconnecting, or for the conjoint connection or disconnection of two or more independent circuits. In this case, the member which contains the mercury 9, is constructed in the shape of a cylindric casing 44, covered on its front side by a ilxed wall and adapted to be closed at the rear by means of a dismountable cover 45 of metallic material conveniently pivoted to a detachable Cushing 49, formed integrall with the casing I. Besides, the pivot of rotation 41 o1' said cover is connected to a metallic plate 48, provided with means ior connecting the same to the lead 36 of the current distributing main.

Through the front wall of the casing I extends an axle, formed by two axial studs 49, 49', of metallic material and suitably isolatedv one from the other. From each of said studs extends, respectively, an arm 58, 50', oi.' which the free ends are permanently in contact with small metallic studs 5I, 5I', which extend through the vcasing 44 and the inner ends of which are adapted to contact, at a given moment, with the body of mercury 9. From the studs 49 and 49' extend, respectively, the metallic blades or leaves 52 and 52', the opposite ends oi' which are provided with means for connecting the same to the leads 38, 38 of the consumers equipment.

The conjoint formed by the casing 44 and its accessory elements, may be rotated, from the front, by means of a stud 53 or the like, operated by hand.

When the conjoint of the elements above described occupies the position indicated in Figures 11 and 12, the mercury will close the circuit between the metallic cover 45 and the stud 5I,

so that the electric current which enters by the lead 36, will issue by the metallic leaf or blade 52 and the lead 36, whereupon only a circuit between the leads 36 and 38 will be closed.

When under these conditions the handle 53 is rotated through an angle of 90, in the direction of the arrow in Figure 11, said handle will carry along with it, in its rotatory motion, the casing 44, whereby the mercury 9 will then be placed in simultaneous contact with the studs 5I, 5I',

causing the current which enters by the lead 39, to be shunted through the pairs of leaves 50-52 yand 59', 52', and issue by the two leads 38, 38 of ,the consumers net, which will simultaneously feed two independent circuits.

tation oi the'operating handle 49. If desired, it

may also be provided with resilient leaves or wires broken between the feed lead 39 and the leads' 38 and 38' of the consumers net.

The modification shown in Figures 13 to 15 enables the novel type of switch to be used in the feed circuit of electric sad-irons and similar apparatus. In this case, the switch according to this invention comprises a casing 54, of insulating material, provided inside with a duct 3, adapted to contain a suitable amount of mercury l,

and to the open end of which is iltted, after the manner of a cover, a tubular body 55, of metallic material, close at its top 55, in which is adapted, by pressure or in any other suitable way, the terminal 51 of one of the leads 36 of the current distribution net, while through the bottom of the duct 3 a metallic stud projects, integrally formed with an angular support 5l, connected to one of the ends of the heating resistance 58, of which the last member is connected, by its opposite end, to the other lead 38 of the current feed main.

Said switch is preferably applied to the inner part of the handle 6u of the sad-iron 8|, in such a way that when said sad-iron occupies its horizontal or working position, as shown in Figure 13, the switch will occupy a substantially vertical position, as shown in Figure 15, in which the body of mercury 9 will close the circuit between the member 55 and the stud 34, that is, between' the leads 35 and 38, thereby allowing of the passage of current through the heating resistance 59. Instead, when the sad-iron is in its vertical position, as indicated in Figure 14, the mercury 9 will ilow integrally toward the upper end 5l of the tubular member 55 and come out of contact with the metallic stud 34, so as to entirely break the circuit between the feed leads 36 and I5, all the time while the sad-iron is not returned to its horizontal or operative position.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An electric switch device, including, an insulating housing having a cavity, a pair of spaced relatively fixed conductors each having one end secured to one edge of the housing and having their opposite lever supporting ends extending in the cavity, a pair of yielding spaced conductors each secured at one end to the opposite edge of the cavity and having the portions between their CIG free and secured ends bowed toward the bottom of a cavity, a switch lever having a pair of noncommunicating mercury receiving chambers each provided with a metallic end cap projecting from the rear end thereof for respective engagement with the spaced yielding conductors, and metallic pivot plugs at each side of the lever and having their inner ends contacting mercury in each of the chambers while their outer ends are pivotally engaged with the lever supporting ends of the said relatively ilxed line conductors.

2. An electric switch, including, in combination, an insulating housing having a switch eavity and provide in its bottom wall with a recess, a metallic bushing in said recess and having a socket, a conductor electrically connected with said bushing, a pair of angular independent conductors including vertical and horizontal portions. the ends of said horizontal portions each having an eye at its inner end, said eyes with respect to each other being disposed in spaced registering relation, a switch member comprising a circular cup of insulating material and a metallic cover providing a mercury receiving chamber, said metallic cover having an offset axial portion bearing in the socket of said bushing, a horizontally disposed metallic axis for the cup including a pair of alined studs insulated from each other and journaled in the registering eyes of said independent line conductors, a pair of angularly spaced contact elements extending through the bottom of the insulating cup, a pair of metallic arms radiating from each oi' the axially alined insulating studs of said metallic axis and engaging a related contact element, and a manipulating handle connected with the metallic axis of the cup for rotating the same to bring said contact elements into an out of mercury contained within the mercury chamber to selectively complete electrical circuits through one or both of the angular conductors.

MAURICIO BABENCO. 

